Rudy Veit
The outline of Missouri's 59th House District has changed a little.
But, it continues to contain a rural, conservative base, and the winner of the Aug. 2 Republican primary will be unopposed in the general election in November.
Incumbent Rudy Veit, 68, a Wardsville attorney, faces a challenge from George Bacon of Jefferson City.
No candidates representing any other parties filed for the position.
The newly shaped district (before its changes) included the westernmost parts of Jefferson City, western and northern parts of Cole County and stretched down into northern parts of Miller County. Under the new maps, it still includes part of Jefferson City (south of U.S. 50 and west of Commerce Drive), but the remainder of the district is now the rest of Cole County (excluding the majority of Jefferson City). The district had already included Centertown, Lohman, Russellville, St. Martin and Wardsville, but now also includes St. Thomas.
It no longer contains St. Elizabeth in Miller County.
Voters elected Veit to the seat in 2018. At that time, he had not held office and ran against four Republicans for the nomination. He defeated Rik Combs, Randy Dinwiddie, Kendra Lane and Karen Leydens. He defeated Linda Green, an Eldon Democrat, during the general election in November.
He retained his seat in 2020, when he ran unopposed.
Bacon is a retiree from construction and nuclear energy industries who lives in Jefferson City with his wife of 50 years, Mary. They have two children and four grandchildren.
Veit is the vice chairman of the Judiciary Committee, and serves on four other committees. In his first four years, he sponsored or co-sponsored more than 60 bills.
Supporters, Veit said, have invested a lot of time and money in elections for him. He said he feels a responsibility to serve them.
"I made a commitment to run for eight years," Veit said. "My district has put a lot of time and effort into me."
He added the longer a person is in the chamber, the more seniority they earn. And the more valuable experience they have.
"You know how the system works. The bills that come up a lot -- you've seen before," Veit said.
If elected, Bacon said, a priority would be engaging constituents in the law-making process.
"Everyone has the right to understand what bills are being introduced and be informed what a yes or no vote means for them," Bacon said. "They should have an opportunity to tell their representative how they want him/her to vote on bills that will become state law."
Bacon also said he would have a goal of improving educational opportunities "at all levels."
"Missouri doesn't rank well in most educational polls," Bacon continued. "I would like to see improved educational opportunities for all students, including those students who will enter the workforce instead of college."
During his first term, Veit said, he and other local lawmakers succeeded in transferring 116 acres (between the Ike Skelton Training and Algoa Correctional centers) belonging to the state to the Heartland Port Authority. In July 2020, Gov. Mike Parson signed the bill making the exchange possible. Veit also authored legislation regulating certain child residential homes, which passed.
Veit said new leadership for the upcoming Legislature (Dean Plocher, R-St. Louis County will be the next speaker of the House) has a goal of getting more accomplished than in past sessions. The leadership will work with the governor and improve its relationship with the Senate, he said.
"I'm not going to run for a leadership position. I do have committee leadership, and responsibility drafting bills and explaining collateral consequences," Veit said. "The floor leader last year (Plocher) sent bills to me and I consulted with him on the legal consequences."
For instance, he said, leadership approached him with a draft of the school boards bill that passed this year.
"They came to me wanting another mandate. I said no, but I will try to get a bill through that gives the option of dividing the districts," Veit said.
Bacon said he would like to eliminate or reduce personal property taxes for seniors.
"Most seniors are on limited income (I know I am)," he said. "I don't have any children in schools, but I still pay for other children to go to school. I think we seniors could use a break from some of that."
He said he's a staunch defender of the Second Amendment.
Freedom of religion is an important subject to Bacon, he said. He said people should be allowed to worship where and when they wish, and if a child's religious beliefs require prayer in school, there should be exceptions for that belief.
Bacon also said lawmakers should protect election integrity.
"We need to make sure our election process is accurate and controlled," he said. "People need to feel confident that their vote is counted and that it counts.
Lawmakers have an obligation to work for the people they represent, Bacon said. They should work together to pass legislation that reflects the best interests of their constituents, he said.
He pledged to create a program to notify constituents when bills are going to be voted on. The notification would contain a summary of the bill, and his interpretation of the bill. Each notification will include a survey, where voters can let him know how they wish him to vote.
"I will listen to my constituents," Bacon said. "I do have my own opinion regarding taxes, education, government spending, abortion, gun control, immigration and other issues. But, my vote on any issue will reflect the majority decision of my constituents."
Veit said he's not necessarily emulating previous state leaders, but holds a lot of respect for predecessors. He campaigned for Kit Bond in 1980, and helped prevent conservatives from taking anything for granted.
"I campaigned for Danforth," Veit said. "(He is one of those) guys who are just trying to get the right thing done. I thought Danforth was a true scholar and leader."
Veit said his experience and specialization in law make him a better candidate for the position he hopes to keep.
"Why would we start over?" Veit asked. "(Bacon) said he would send out emails to everybody, and they would tell him how to vote. Those people who are the loudest, may not be the people who are most rational."
The "quiet majority" also has an opinion, he said. Veit added that people screamed at him concerning some votes he cast.
"I don't think he's amoral or crooked," Veit said. "I just have more experience."